Three suspects charged for alleged involvement in stabbing death of Virginia man

By
KBJR News 1

May 9, 2014Updated May 9, 2014 at 6:23 PM CDT

Virginia, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Authorities have filed murder charges against three men for their alleged involvement in a homicide last week in Virginia. Harley Joseph Jacka, a 28–year–old of Virginia was found dead in an apartment on April, 29.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities found Jacka's body wrapped in a blanket, lying face up on the floor. Police say he had been stabbed about 15 times and had wounds on his head, face, and chest.

Jacka's death was ruled a homicide on Thursday, May 1. Court documents say the three suspects gave different accounts of what happened the night the alleged murder took place:

Drift told police that he woke up at the apartment and found Anthony James Isham with a knife in his hand. He told police John Edward Isham told him that he had beat Jacka.

Anthony Isham told police when he woke up in the apartment, he saw Jacka dead. He claims Drift and John Isham were covered in blood.John Isham told officials that when he left the apartment, Anthony Isham and Drift stayed and Jacka reportedly left.

John Isham's relatives told police that John told them Anthony had killed a "white guy". A relative told police John told her that Drift stabbed Jacka.

Footprints in blood matched Drift and Anthony Ishams shoes. A third print was also identified but the shoes John Isham had been wearing have not been found.

The owner of the home in which Jacka was found dead, told police that he was gone from his home for three nights, and that Drift had been staying there during his absence.

The Virginia Police Department is investigating the case with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, the Eveleth Police Department, the FBI and the St. Louis County Attorney's Office.